London, Nov 26 : The chairman of the Lap Dancing Association told a parliamentary committee recently that lap dancing was not a form of sexual act.

The claim, made by Simon Warr, was greeted with scepticism by MPs, while he was giving evidence to the Commons culture committee as part of an inquiry into the operation of the Licensing Act.

Lap Dancing clubs are at the moment licensed in the same way as pubs and clubs, and the government is under pressure to change the act and to have it licensed as sex encounter establishments.

London, November 26 : Children''s comics have made a comeback on the back of the success of spin-offs from TV shows like ‘Dr. Who’ and new titles.

Market research company Mintel says that an array of new publications has helped boost sales by more than 72 per cent in five years.

The company reckons that the comics and children''s magazine sector is currently worth 136million pounds, up from 79million pounds in 2003.

It revealed that the BBC’s Dr. Who Adventures magazine topped the chart as the most popular children''s title in 2007, with a circulation of 155,000.

London, November 26 : The light sabre used in ‘Star Wars’ and the signature hat worn by Harrison Ford in ‘Indiana Jones’ will feature amongst the 500 Hollywood props set to go under the hammer in the US.

While Luke Skywalker’s light sabre is expected to fetch up to 120,000 pounds at the massive sale, the ''Fedora'' hat, which bears the initials ''IJ'' printed inside the band, could sell for 40,000 pounds.

Washington, Nov 26 : Despite reports, sportstar Alex Rodriguez will reportedly be celebrating Thanksgiving with his wife, Cynthia, and their two kids – not ‘lover’ Madonna.

Two days before, the New York Post had reported – citing Access Hollywood – that Cynthia in an email to friends slammed her ex for "abandoning his kids on Thanksgiving to be with Madonna ... She called and he ran on her command back to New York City... Gross!"

However, a source close to the Yankee slugger –who split from his wife this summer – told Usmagazine. com that the reports were ‘untrue’.

London, Nov 26 : Popstar Britney Spears is keen to shed weight before her ‘X Factor’ performance – and so has reportedly gone on a crash diet.

The ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time’ hitmaker is so desperate to look sexy for the X-rated performance that she’s reportedly gone on an unhealthy diet.

“She goes to bed hungry and is dieting so hard she’s suffering from insomnia, anxiety, flushes and shakes,” The Daily Star quoted a source, as saying.

Washington/Toronto  - The death of Kenny MacLean, the former Platinum Blonde bassist, was likely due to heart problems, the Toronto Star reported Tuesday.

MacLean, who was 52, was found by his sister Monday in the living quarters of his studio clutching a toothbrush, according to a friend quoted by the newspaper.

Platinum Blonde had hits during the 1980s including Hungry Eyes and Crying Over You.